Physician Assistant Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $62.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physician assistant working in Buffalo, NY runs $62.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $130,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1071). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $65.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $78,333 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, New York, the physician assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $62.77, which is about 10.3% lower than the national figure of $67.50. This rate indicates a solid earning potential for those in diverse clinical settings such as hospitals, urgent care facilities, and surgical suites. For part-time physician assistants working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into significant earnings, reflecting the wide salary range within the profession. Entry-level positions start at around $49.09 per hour, while top earners can make up to $79.92 per hour, providing ample opportunity for lucrative part-time and per diem work, especially in high-demand areas.
Physician Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49.09 | $392.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52.27 | $418.16 |
| Median (P50) | $62.77 | $502.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71.93 | $575.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79.92 | $639.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $62.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $62.77/hr, a physician assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $130,555 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $75,320. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,510.68 | $10,880 | $130,555 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,506.41 | $6,528 | $78,333 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,004.27 | $4,352 | $52,222 |
Compare PA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physician Assistant (Buffalo) | $62.77 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.20 |
| Registered Nurse (National Avg) | $42.80 |
| Family Medicine Physician (National Avg) | $116.45 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.18 |
Physician Assistants in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $130,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.01% lower than the national median of $140,391 and 8.30% below the New York state average of $142,372.
Physician Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $62.77/hr = $78,333/year (purchasing power: $81,730).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $130,555/year (purchasing power: $136,216).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$49.24/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$60.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$62.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physician Assistants in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.32% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.24/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $51.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $51.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $58.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $60.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physician assistants in Buffalo grew 23.4% from $49.24/hr (2019) to $60.75/hr (2025). At a 3.32% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $64.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physician assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.32% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physician Assistant in Buffalo
When considering part-time roles, a physician assistant in Buffalo working 24 hours a week would typically earn about $78,065 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts, but still financially viable. Per diem physician assistants often command rates that can exceed $75 to $130 per hour. For instance, orthopedic surgical PAs may earn $1,200 to $1,800 per day when covering operating rooms, while emergency medicine shifts can yield between $900 and $1,400 for 12-hour periods. Salaries in Buffalo also fluctuate depending on the employer; hospital systems might offer stable W-2 positions with benefits, while surgical specialty clinics may provide opportunities as independent contractors, leading to varied compensation. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for effective negotiation. Assessing the value of benefits against hourly rates can play a pivotal role in decision-making for many PAs in Buffalo.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physician assistants in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time physician assistants make in Buffalo?
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How much does a full-time physician assistant make per year in Buffalo?
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Written by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C
Career Analyst
Jessica has 10 years of experience as a physician assistant. Her specialty is cardiology in an outpatient setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.32% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physician assistants in Buffalo. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physician assistants (SOC 29-1071).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, MPAS, PA-C, a licensed physician assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov